SENOMYX ANNOUNCES APPROVAL OF ITS SAVORY FLAVORS AND S2383 FLAVOR INGREDIENT IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 9, 2012 – Senomyx, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNMX), a company using proprietary taste science technologies to discover novel flavor ingredients for the food, beverage, and ingredient supply industries, announced today that the Company’s four initial Savory Flavors and its S2383 flavor ingredient have all received regulatory approval in the European Union (EU). Senomyx’s four Savory Flavor ingredients may be used to create new savory flavor blends. S2383 is a flavor ingredient with modifying properties that restores the taste profile in products that have reduced amounts of sucralose, a high-intensity sweetener. Each of these ingredients was included in the newly published Union List, which identifies flavoring substances that will be considered legal for use in EU countries as of end-April 2013.

“The approval of Senomyx’s Savory Flavors and S2383 in the European Union opens important new markets for these unique flavor ingredients”

“The approval of Senomyx’s Savory Flavors and S2383 in the European Union opens important new markets for these unique flavor ingredients,” stated Kent Snyder, Chief Executive Officer of the Company. “The Savory Flavors are very versatile and can be used in a variety of food products including sauces, frozen foods, cooking aids, soups, and snack foods. S2383 is applicable for use in all food and beverage products sweetened with sucralose.”

The Savory Flavors and S2383 have been evaluated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). On October 2, 2012 the European Commission published a regulation that adopts the Union List and permits usage of the named flavoring substances in the EU beginning in late-April 2013.

About Senomyx, Inc. (www.senomyx.com)

Senomyx is using proprietary taste science technologies to discover and develop novel flavor ingredients. These include new flavors such as Savory Flavors and Cooling Flavors, as well as Bitter Blockers and modifiers of Sweet and Salt tastes. Senomyx is also engaged in a new effort to discover and develop natural high-potency sweeteners. The Company has collaborative agreements with global food, beverage, and ingredient supply companies, some of which are currently marketing products that contain Senomyx’s flavor ingredients. Its corporate socially responsible activities are described on the Senomyx Cares blog at http://www.senomyx-csrblog.com/. For more information, please visit www.senomyx.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the date on which the Company’s Savory Flavors and S2383 are expected to be authorized for use as flavoring substances in the European Union; the potential uses for the Company’s Savory Flavors and S2383; and the potential market for the Company’s Savory Flavors and S2383 in the European Union. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including the following risks: Senomyx is dependent on its product discovery and development collaborators for all of Senomyx's revenue; Senomyx is also dependent on its current and any future product discovery and development collaborators to develop, manufacture and commercialize Senomyx flavor ingredients, including the Company’s Savory Flavors and S2383; the cost to manufacture and/or formulate Senomyx flavor ingredients into packaged food and beverage products may be higher than anticipated, which could discourage market acceptance of Senomyx flavor ingredients; the regulation of flavor ingredients in the European Union is highly uncertain and subject to change; Senomyx may be asked to complete additional studies to evaluate and/or monitor the safety of new flavor ingredients in order to maintain applicable regulatory approvals and/or obtain regulatory approvals outside the United States; and Senomyx's ability to compete in the flavor ingredients market may decline if Senomyx does not adequately protect its proprietary technologies. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in Senomyx's most recently filed SEC documents, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, under the headings "Risks Related to Our Business" and "Risks Related to Our Industry." All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Senomyx undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.